Zoning and the UDO

Below you will find answers to some of the most common inquiries we receive pertaining to zoning and our ordinance. You will also find links to our zoning map, the Unified Development Ordinance, and other related information. If you would like more information about any of these topics or simply have a question that is not answered here, please contact the Planning Department.

What is zoning?

Zoning is the legal tool by which the Town regulates land use and development. The zoning ordinance establishes districts or “zones” across the Mint Hill Planning Area (corporate limits and extraterritorial planning jurisdiction [ETJ]). Each district has its own set of rules as to how land in that district can be used. The zoning map is a legal document and is part of the zoning ordinance. In Mint Hill, as in many other communities, the zoning ordinance is consolidated with the subdivision and other development-related ordinances into the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), which was adopted by the Board of Commissioners effective July 1, 2011.

How do I find out what my property is zoned?

To find out the zoning of your property, you can view our online zoning map here. Simply enter your address or street name in the search box in the upper right hand corner. You can also download and print a PDF copy of the zoning map here. Finally, several Mecklenburg County resources include Town zoning information, including Polaris 3G.

Disclaimer: Every effort is made to update all zoning map information as quickly as possible following a zoning map amendment (rezoning). However, the Town cannot guarantee that posted information is accurate, especially when gathered from external parties. To verify the zoning of any specific property, please contact the Planning Department at 704-545-9726. The Planning Department can also issue Zoning Verification Letters upon request.

How does the rezoning process work?

Any change to the zoning of a piece of property is called a rezoning (or a zoning map amendment). Rezonings, just like text amendments to the ordinance, are legislative decisions made by the Board of Commissioners. Under North Carolina law, legislative decisions made by a local governing board must follow certain procedural and public notice requirements. Please consult our Development Activity page often to stay up-to-date on rezoning and other development activity within the Town.

In Mint Hill, all development applications are due by the second Thursday of a given month to begin the process the following month.

The month immediately following receipt of a rezoning application, the Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing at their regularly scheduled meeting (second Thursday of the month) to solicit comments from the public and neighbors regarding the proposed rezoning. On the third Monday of that same month, the Planning Board will make a recommendation on the rezoning application. At the next regularly scheduled Board of Commissioners meeting (often the second Thursday of the following month) a decision will most likely be made. However, some applications are deferred to the next meeting if the Board or applicant desires more information, etc.

What is Conditional District zoning?

Conditions cannot be placed on a rezoning to a conventional district. However, with Conditional District zoning, ordinance requirements can be modified, increased, lessened, etc. to address the interests of all parties and ensure compatibility of the use with surrounding properties. All Conditional Districts are indicated with a “CD” following the conventional district. For example, property rezoned from B-G (General Business) to a Conditional District would be shown as B-G (CD) on the zoning map. The site-specific conditions and standards approved during a CD rezoning process are included on the approved Zoning Plan for that application.

What is the Comprehensive Land Use Plan?

The Comprehensive Land Use Plan is a recommendation for how future growth and development should occur. It is a merely a guide, not the law. When rezoning decisions are made, the Planning Board and Board of Commissioners consult the Comprehensive Land Use Plan, but their decision is not bound by it. You can view the Future Land Use Map here.